Manufacture of helical binders



Nov. 6, 1945'. A. FREuNDLlcH 2,388,401

MANUFACTURE OF HELICAL BINDERS we. l

. ATTORNEYS NOV. 6, 1945.v v A, FREUNljLlCl-l l 2,388,401

MANUFACTURE 0F HELICAL BINDERS Filed Feb. 1'7, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 vW//V wlTN ES s INVEN'roR ATTORNEYS v Nov. 6, 1945.

WITNESS A. FREUNDLICH MANUFACTURE OF HELICAL BINDERS Filed Feb. 17, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1945. A. FREUNDLICH MANUFAGTRE OF HELICAL BINDERS Filed Feb. 17,- 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AT ToRNEYs Patented Nov.v 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE essaim n y MANUFACTURE 0F HELICAL BIl\l?l)Ii I:tS`v AAlbert Freundlich, New York, N. Y., assixnor to Spiral Binding Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., `a corporation of New York Application February 11, 1943, Serial No. 476,170

3 Claims. (Cl. 18-19)v This invention relates to the manufacture of spirally or helically coiled binding elements for use in securing in book form stacks of sheets hav` ing perforations therethrough adapted to receive such binding elements.

'I'he principal object of the invention is to provide an improved method of and apparatus for manufacturing coiled or helical binder elements for books, pamphlets, and the like. Another object of thevinvention is to provide an improved method of manufacture, which possesses special advantages in the construction of spirally or helically formed binding elements composed of thermoplastic or like material.

In accordance with the invention, a straight wire or filament utilized in the manufacture of the binder is formed into helical shape with the aid of frictional heat which is generated during the forming operation either by dragging, pulling, pushing or otherwise progressing the wire or filament between two or more contact surfaces movable relative to each other. The contact surfaces are preferably cylindrically shaped rollers which are rotated at different peripheral speeds and so constructed as to form, and at the same time to control, the diameter and pitchof the coils of the helical member. More specifically, the straight wire or mament to be formed into a helical binder is fed between a rotatable governing mandrel of predetermined diameter, and a plurality of grooved spacing rollers in approximate contact with the governing mandrel anti constructed and arranged to rotate at a different peripheral speed than the governing mandrel.

For a, better understanding of the invention as well as the advantages and features thereof, reference is made to the following description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the binder forming mechanism; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the forming mechanism and the motor for drivingthe same; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the entire machine; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line. 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detailed, front elevational view of the forward endof the forming mechanism; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. and Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the filament or thread in its finished orm.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates the base vof the machine from which rises the four standards or uprights II for supporting the intermediate platform or motor bed I8 and the table I2 upon which is mounted the forming mechaanism'. ,As is shown more clearly inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the` forming mechanism on the table I2 includes a drive shaft I3 which is rotatably suppOrted inf a bearing block I4 bolted to the table I2. The rearwardly projecting end of the shaft I3 is provided with a pulley wheel I5 which is connected by means of a belt I6 to theu motor I1 mounted on the platform I8. Connected to the forward end of the drive shaft I3 is a driving gear I9 which is engaged with three driven gearsV 20, 2l and 22 rotatably mounted on gear shafts supported by the bearing block It. The three gears 20, 2l and 22 are arranged in triangular relation around the centrally positioned driving gear I9 (see Fig. 4) and are similar to the latter so that all of such gears are rotated at the same rate of speed by the shaft I3, the gears 2u, 2i and 22, however, being rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the gear I9. Coupled in any suitable fashion to the gears I9, 20, 2i and 22 are the rear ends of four exible `ible shafts 29 to 26 and gears ls' to 22, at the sameA rate of speed'by the shaft I3. The cylindrical members 28, 29 and vSII, however, each have a diameter which is greater than that of member 21 (see Fig. 5) so that their peripheral speed is greater than the peripheral speed of the member 421. vIt will Abe noted also that the direction of rotation of the gears is such that members 2t, 29 and 30 rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings, While member 21 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in such ligure.

The cylindrical member 21 functions as a mandrel as the filament is coiled therearound and is in the nature of a iioating mandrel in that it is unsupported by bearings, but is merely conned ina space having transverse dimensions greater than the area "of such member and formed between members 2l,- 29 and 30 which are arranged in triangular relation about such member 21 (see Fig. 5). 'I'hus the member 21 is capable of a slight transverse movement with respect to the members 28, 29 and 30. Longitudinal movement of the member 21, however, is restricted by its connection with the drive shaft 23 which is separately connected to such member by the coupling member 35 attached in any suitable fashion, as

readily from the machine and replaced by another mandrel 21, of different diameter to form a binding element having a different internal diameter. The length of the member or mandrel 21 is greater than that of the members 28, 29 and 38 so that its ends project beyond the ends of such members (note Fig.l 2), and the exterior surface of such member is smooth throughout its length.

The three cylindrical members 28, 29 and 38 are supported in a predetermined relation with respect to the rotatable mandrel 21 by two spaced standards which are indicated generally by the reference numerals 38 and 88. The two standards are mounted in a drip pan 31 and are maintained in spaced, upright relation by means of two bar plates 38, 38 which are bolted to the side legs of such standards. As both the standards 98 and 36 are similar in construction, except for the type of bearing support used in each, as will hereinafter be pointed out, it is believed only necessary to describe one of such standards in detail. For this purpose we have shown in Figs. and 6 a detailed view of the forward standard 36, it being understood that the standard 38' is similar in all respects with the exception noted. As is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the forward standard 36 includes a pair of spaced legs or uprights 48, 48 to the upper end portions of which is secured an annularly or ring shaped member 4| disposed vertically between such uprights. Provided in the member 4I are three radially disposed openings spaced 120 apart and through 'each of which extends a bearing member 42 provided with a screw thread on its outer end portion, and having at its inner end a U-shaped bearing support 43 which engages in an annular slot provided in the cylindrical member associated therewith. Provided on the outer threaded end of each member 42 is a nut 44 which seats on the periphery of the annular shaped member 4I. The inner end of each of the nuts 44 is provided with a flange 46 having an outer beveled or chamfered surface, which is engaged by a projection provided on a block 41 secured to the annular member 4I in any suitable manner, as by the screw 48. Each nut 44 is provided with a knurled outer portion 45 by which the nut may be manipulated to advance or retract its associated bearing support 43, and consequently to fix the outer limit of movement oi' the forward end of its associated cylindrical member with respect to the mandrel 21. The bearing supports 43' of the members 42 in the standard 36' diii'er from the supports 43 in that they are annular in form and iit over the reduced rear end portions of the members 28, 29 and 38, the forward ends of the supports 43' being reduced in thickness so that they do not project beyond the peripheries of the members 28, 29 and 38. Thus unlike the supports 43, the supports 43 definitely fix the positions of the rear portions of the members 28, 29 and 38 with respect to the mandrel 21.

It will be understood from the foregoing that V by manipulating the nuts 44 and 44', the members 28, 29 and 38 may be adjusted radially with respect to the mandrel 21. The adjustment of s the members 28, 29 and 38 is such that with a mandrel 21 of a particular diameter, the filament being formed will maintain the members 28, 29 and 38 out of contact with such mandrel, as is shown in Fig. 5, while yet firmly engaging and compressing such filament. This adjustment, of course, will depend upon the thickness or gauge of the filament used in the manufacture of the binder.

The forward ends of the members 28, 29 and 38, that is. those portions of such members which project forwardly of the annular member 4i. are each provided with a series of annular grooves 49, the grooves in such series being uniformly spaced from each other a distance equal to a predetermined pitch of the spiral or helical into which the filament is to be formed. The grooves of each member are longitudinally displaced with relation to the grooves ot the other members, such displacement depending upon the position of the line of contact of the grooves of such member with the spiral being formed. Thus as the members 28, 29 and 38 are spaced apart 120 about the mandrel 21 in the embodiment illustrated and as this filament is first introduced between the member A29 and mandrel 21, the grooves of the member 28 are advanced one-third the distance between such grooves ahead of the grooves of the member 29, and the grooves of the member 38 are advanced a similar distance ahead of the grooves in the member 28, the preceding grooves of the member 29 being thus advanced a similar distance ahead ofthe succeeding grooves of the member 38. The cross-sectional configuration of the grooves is dependent upon the gauge of the filament used and, generally speaking, is of a depth less than the diameter of the smallest gauge of filament to be formed by members 29, 29 and 38 and of a width at the open ends of the grooves approximately equal to the diameter of.' the largest gauge filament to be formed by such members. For example, if the members 29, 29 and 38 are designed to form filaments having a range of diameter from .04 inch to .08 inch, the depth of each groove will be approximately .03 inch, while its width at the open end thereof will be approximately .08 inch. Each groove, therefore, will have a somewhat triangular form.

In the operation of the machine illustrated. the wire or filament 58 initially passes into the first groove of the cylindrical or contact member 29 and between the member 29 and mandrel 21, then between the latter and the first groove of the cylinder 28 which is in advance of the first groove of member 29 by one-third the pitch of the helical being formed, thence between mandrel 21 and the first groove of the cylinder 38 which is advanced from the first groove of cylinder 28, thence between the mandrel and the second groove of cylinder29 and so on, the filament being thus progressively advanced by the successive grooves in the contact members 28, 29 and 38 towards the forward ends of such members. During this progressive feed of the filament 58, it is formed about the mandrel 21 into a helix whose pitch is determined by the spacings of the grooves 49 on the contact members 28, 29 and 38. Due to the fact that the peripheral speeds of members 28, 29 and 38 are greater than the peripheral speed of the mandrel 21, such members by their rubbing contact of the grooves 49 thereof with the filament 58, generate a frictlonal heat in sufficient intensity to heat the filament to a temperature where it is readily moldable about the mandrel 21. As a result of this frictional heat also, and the pressure exerted by the contact members 28, 29 and 38 on the filament 58, the cross-sectional form of the filament is changed from a circular to one which is substantially triangular in shape and conforming somewhat to the cross-sectional shape of the grooves 49. This modified form of the filament which is shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings, is of advantage in binders in that there is presented a wider contact to the the guideway of block l1 and having secured atY paper sheets than is possible with a circular form thereby iessening the danger of i'ailure of a book along its bound edges. At the same`tim`e, the cross-sectional form imparts to the filament greater strength and rigidity. in an axial direc- 5 tion without materially aifecting the iiexibility of the helical Ybinder as a wholey in a longitudinal direction. Thisfis of particular advantagev with binders made of thermoplastleor like material.

The iilamcnt or wire lnis fed from a reel il .l0`

rotatably mounted on a standard l2 (see Fig. 3) which mayy be placed in a convenient position with relation to the forming mechanism. On its way from the reel Il te the forming mechanism,"

the wire or iilament'ill passes through a guide l5 aperture in a guide member 53 secured to a/side ofthe table i2. From the guide 53 thewire passes between the tensioning rollers 54 and 56. The roller Il is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft carried by a standard 55 secured to the table I2 2o Y adjacent to the :Ilxed guide I3. The upper roller 58 is rotatably mountedon a stub shaft carried by a block 51 which is siidably mounted in a vertical guideway provided in the standard il. The block l1 is provided with a vertically disposed 25 threaded passageway,- which is Vengaged by a threaded rod i8 extending vertically up`through its upper outer end ahandle ll. Thusby rotating the threaded rod 58 through the handle 59, 30 the position of the block l1 can be variedwithin the guideway ofV standard ,and consequently the position of the roller il can be varied with respect to the roller 54. Preferably the .relation of these two rollers is such that there is a slight pressure on the thread or illament 6 0 passing therebetween to provide a. slight backward or controlling tension on the portion of the thread feeding-from such rollers to the forming mechanim. As can be seen more clearlyin Fig. 1 of the'draw-i 40 ings', the roller 5l provided'with a plurality of annular grooves BIL-'each dimensioned to takecare of wires failing' within a predetermined gauge range.

During the' formation of the filament or-wire '45 intoV a helical or spiral fo von the forwardly projecting working portions of members 21 to 30,' the heat generated is of such degree that it is necessary to provide a cooling medium to maintain the temperature of filament within certain limits. In the apparatus illustrated, the cooling medium, which may be of any type suitable for this purpose. is supplied by means of a faucet 0| (see Figs. l to 3 of the drawings) supported by a s ybracket 2l in proper position over the members` 55 21 to SII and connected by a hose-or pipe- (connection 05 to a rotary pump unit 83 contained within a tank l2 for the cooling medium. 'I'he pump unit 83 is driven by a motor 6l supported by the tank 62 which is mounted-upon the base I0 of the machine. The cooling medium discharged on the portion of the wire being formed is collecteo in the pan 31 and passes therefrom through of'predetermined diameter. If a helix of larger diameter is to be formed on the apparatus using a gauge oi' wire falling within the range for which'. the grooves 49 of the members 28, 25 and 3 0 were designed, all that is necessary to do is to substitute anew mandrel 21 of the desired diameter between the members 28, 29 and 30 and readjust l such members with respect to the new mandrel. In such case the pitch of the larger helical formed will probably be too clo for the spacings of the apertures in the sheets which are to be formed by such helical, and means are provided to give to such larger helix its correct pitch for binding purposes. As is shown more clearly in Figs. 5 'and 6 of the drawings, such means includes a vportion of the mandrel "21 projecting beyond the forward ends of the cylindrical or contact members 2.8, 29 and. Such'portion of the rod 88 is so positioned with respect to the mandrel 21,

t wardly on the mandrel 21, the coils are.spread by the rod I8 to the desired pitch and as the thermoplastic material is stili warm and therefore .readily moldable, the coils will readily assume and retainfthis new pitch, the wire when cooled permanently maintaining such pitch. The rod 88 rod 68 in engagement with the mandrel 21.

The finally formed wire is fed from the mandrel 21 into a trough like member 12 which is provided with indicating means for readily measuring the wire into predetermined lengths as it -is fed through such member and to indicate to the operator the lengths into which the helically formed wires areto be cut. The member 12 is mounted on ,the upper end oban adjustable standard 1I supported by a bracket 14 secured to the forward end of table I 2'. .l'he upright 13 and bracket 14 are provided with longitudinally extending slots through which extends a bolt 15 whereby the standard" may -be adjusted yrelative to the bracket 1I, and consequently making the trough 12 adjustable with respect to the discharge end of the mandrel 21. a While I have described and illustrated a preferred form of my invention in connection with a machine for manufacturing spiral binding elements, it is to be understood that as to certain phases thereof it may have other applications. It will be also understood to those skilledl in the art that modifications and changes may be made in the machine illustrated without changing its essential functions; For example, instead of making the members 28, 2! and 3B of a diiierent diameter than the mandrel 21, all of such members may be made of the same 'diameter and the differential surface speeds of such members attained by varying the construction of the gears i9 to 22. Also the peripheral speeds of the mem-1 bers 28, 29 and 30 may be varied relative to each other under certain conditions. As these and otherchanges may be made' without departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not Wish fto limit myself `to the machine illustrated and described but intend to include all structures `being longitudinally displaced with relation to coming within the scope of the appended claims.

1. In a machine for making helical members, the combination, of a centrally disposed lrotatable mandrel, a plurality of rotatable forming members arranged around said mandrel to denne a longitudinally extending space having transverse dimensions greater than the cross sectional area of such mandrel in the region of such space, said mandrel being loosely mounted in said space and being coniinedtherein vby said members, each of said members having a sexies of annular grooves spaced from each other a distance equal to a predetermined pitch and the grooves of each member the grooves on the other members, thel surface of said mandrel in the region of the grooved portions of said members being smooth and of uniform cross-section, means for rotating said mandrel and said forming members and including a flexible driving connection with said mandrel to enable the latter to move transversely relative to said forming members, and means for adjusting said members radially with relation tc said movable mandrel without aii'ecting their driven connection with said rotating means.

2. In a machine for making helical members from a filament, the combination of a centrally disposed rotatable mandrel, a plurality of rotatable forming members arranged around said mandrel, each of said members having\a series of annular grooves spaced from each other a distance equal to a predetermined pitch and the grooves of each member being longitudinally displaced with relation .to the grooves on the other members, the surface of said mandrel in the region of the grooved portions of said members being smooth, said forming members defining a longitudinally extending space having transverse dimensionsLgreater than the cross sectional area of said mandrel in the region of said space, said mandrel being loosely mounted in said space' and being coniined therein by said members, and-' mandrel, in the region of such space, being such that it is supported in a centrall position relative to said forming members by the iilament being formed therearound by said forming members.

3. In a machine for making helical members from a filament, the combination of a centrally vdisposed rotatable mandrel, a plurality of rotatable forming members arranged around said mandrel, each of said members having a series of annular grooves spaced from each other a distance equal to a predetermined pitch and -the c grooves of eachmember being longitudinally displaced withreiation to the grooves on the other members. the portion of said mandrel in the region of the grooved portions of said members .having a smooth surface and a cross-sectional i ,areaxthroughout its length less than the transverse dimensions of the longitudinally extending space denned byysaid members so that the smooth surfaceof such mandrel portion is spaced from the exterior surfaces of the grooved portions of said members, and the depth of the grooves on means for rotatingfsaid mandrel and forming membersand including a flexible driving connec- `tion with said mandrel to enable the latter tov move transversely relative to said forming members, the cross sectional area of said movable said members being less than .the diameter of the filament being formed and such that the filament being formed is pressed by said members against the smooth, spaced surface of said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel and said forming members, the said parts being so constructed and4 arranged that the peripheral speed of rotation of said members is diiferent from that of said mandrel, whereby the illament being formed is worked by pressure and frictional heat into a diilerent cross-sectional coniiguration during the forming operation, the working end of said mandrel projecting beyond the grooved end por- -tions of said members and functioning as a feeding guide for the helical member, means cooperating with such projecting end of the mandrel to give to the helical member the lcorrect pitch desired, said last mentioned means comprising a rod adjstablyvmounted on the machine land, intermediate its length, engaging the periphery of the projecting end of said mandrel at a point spaced from the endsof said forming members a distance diiIerent from that between the grooves of such members, and means for yieldingly maintaining said rod in contact with said mandrel.

' ALBERT FREUNDLICH. 

